Governments begin Christmas tree disposal, recycling

Sick of the holidays? Santa didn't bring what you wanted? Or maybe you are just looking to spruce up the garden? Send your Christmas tree to the wood chipper.

Christmas tree disposal began as early as Thursday and continues into January around the region. Residents are asked to remove all decorations, ornament hooks and other trimmings before disposing of trees.

In some cases, the trees can be chipped into mulch that, come spring, can help green flower beds at government buildings or even residents' homes.

In Baltimore, trees will be picked up on regular trash collection days starting Jan. 7, Department of Public Works spokesman Jeff Raymond said. Residents who want their trees mulched can bring them to the Reedbird Avenue Citizen Convenience Center every Friday and Saturday in January between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and take the mulch home, he said.

Baltimore County curbside pickup doesn't begin until Jan. 13, and residents are asked to put their trees out by Jan. 18 to ensure they all get picked up over a two-week period. But for those eager to move on from Christmas sooner, tree drop-off at county landfills in White Marsh, Cockeysville and Halethorpe began Thursday.

In Anne Arundel County, Christmas trees as well as wreaths and garlands can be disposed of along with regular yard waste, picked up year-round. Trees can also be brought to any of the county's recycling centers.

Howard County's "Merry Mulch" Christmas tree recycling program runs Jan. 2-17. Residents can drop off trees seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at eight locations around the county. A list of locations can be found at http://www.howardcountymd.gov/merrymulch.htm.

Howard residents with curbside yard trim collection may also set their Christmas trees out on those collection days. Trees will not be picked up on trash collection days during this time for residents with yard trim collection.

Harford County's tree recycling program, which has chipped more than 90,000 trees since 1989, lets county residents visit the Harford Waste Disposal Center in Street year-round for three free bags of mulch. Trees can be dropped off at the center from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday or at the county's waste center at 703 N. Tollgate Road in Bel Air from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

In Carroll County, Westminster residents can drop trees off at a designated Dumpster at Tuc Road and Locust Street. Otherwise, trees are collected every other Monday according to bulk trash schedules. The program produces 200 tons of mulch each year used in city flower beds and parks, according to the city.

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